At the time, though, the BSA hadn’t ruled on slacklining. “Don’t try this at home,” I wrote.

Times change, and now your Scouts have the go-ahead to follow in Eagle Scout Andy Lewis’ famous footsteps. Well, provided your Scouts also follow new BSA safety rules outlined below.

First, a reminder about what exactly slacklining is.

Gibbon Slacklines, the brand used during Eagle Scout Andy Lewis’ Super Bowl show, describes the sport as “the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible piece of webbing which is low to the ground and usually anchored between two trees. It’s not just for epic performances, but rather something anyone can do in their own backyard.”

Your backyard is only the beginning. It’s not hard to imagine troops, teams, and crews setting up slacklines wherever their unit’s next Scouting adventure takes them.

And now that slacklining has the BSA’s blessing, anything is possible. If Lewis gets his way, that would include a Slacklining merit badge.

“If that happens, I’m interested in helping write the pamphlet,” he said.

But first, read the…

Official BSA guidelines on Slacklining

Slacklining is an adventure program growing in popularity. As with any activity involving height and motion, there is risk involved. Before units, districts, or councils decide to promote or host slackline activities and other adventure sports, they must follow the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety and submit a tour and activity plan for council review with a description that includes the slacklining activity.

Staff members for these types of events are responsible for learning proper setup, operational guidelines, and safety techniques. Equipment used for these activities must be designed for the adventure sport industry and will be exposed to extreme forces. Therefore, it should not be used for other purposes. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Fall precautions should include spotters or crash pads.

Stepping off the line safely is recommended when a participant feels he or she is about to fall.

Trees used for anchors should be protected from damage and be at least 8 inches in diameter.

The line should never be more than 3 feet high.

Never allow more than one participant on the line at a time.

Acrobatics (any time your head is lower than your torso) are prohibited.

With the right people present you can! (All shotgun shooting activities must have a certified NRA Range Safety Officer directly supervising all live fire on the range. Additionally, the instruction offered must be done by a currently certified National Camping School shooting sports director certified as an NRA Shotgun Instructor, or an NRA-certified Shotgun Instructor or an NRA/USA Shooting/CMP-certified Shotgun Coach. These must be two separate individuals.) My son’s troop is going shooting this weekend!

I have built it with climbing rated 2″ tubular webbing and a 6000lb ratcheting tie down. I also tie a climbing rated 10.5mm rope above to be used as a safety/guide line. This lets anyone try it with less risk of injury.

We are planning on introducing slacklining at our spring camporee. I asked that ? of our professional advisor. We were advised that commercially made equipment should be used for liability reasons. I understand that and have to reason that it does not seem as if it will wear out easily so is a good investment.

Our Venturing Crew has been known to thrown a slackline up on numerous occasions just on a whim. It is a quick easy way to have fun at a meeting or during down time on a camp out. The safety guidelines are a good idea, but filing a Tour Plan is overkill. This will definitely put a damper on the spur of the moment fun we have had with this.

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Bryan on Scouting is the official blog of Scouting magazine, a Boy Scouts of America publication. Scouting magazine is published five times a year and is received by 1 million registered adult volunteers.